Protective device for alternating-current motors



Sept. 21, 1926. 1 1,600,775

A. S. L. PEASLEE y PROTECTIVE DEVICE Eon ALTERNATINC CURRENT MoToRs Filed Nov. 24, 1922 :s sheets-Sheet l1 CONT/fm @l Box 7111/111111llllllllllm 1 A Iwengorzf #286636', a HAHA/wf@ L P54151 EE 92E/711 ,QL/wauw.

Sept. 2l 1926. 1,600,775

A.S.L.PEASLEE PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR vALTERNATING CRRENT MOTORS Filed Nov. 24. 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 CONT/QOL Box V[JNE A VIII/1,111,101

. #LEXA/@1766A pane/ 55 Sept. 21 1926.

A. S. L. PEASLEE y PROTECTIVE DEVICE FOR ALTERNATING CURRENT MOTORS Filed Nov. 221, 1922 3 sheets-sheets CONT/QOL `Eox LINE CONT/QOL 50x Cy/f3" ai?! Patented Slept.` 1926..A

UNITED? fsf'rafri-:s

. humming. L. PEASLEE', or -1 v rnoracrivn nnvrcn 'rola AL'rEnNA'rmo-cunnairr morons.

Application niearovember a4, im. serial ne.' ceases.

This invention relates `to alternatin current power distribution, and especia ly to lmotor controlling means. Furthermore, it .finds its chief use and advantage in single phase systems where split phase motors are used.

It may also be applied'to any other type of alternating current motor upon equipping the motor with apsuitable speed responsive electricaly switch, or if a speed controlledv switch is already incorporated in the motor, the invention may be applied by the addi- .tion of suitable contacts for` the operation of l this protectivedevice. y e

A particular application of this device will be found-in connection with split phase motors as used to drive household washinIg machines, ironers, and similar devices. t

ymay also well'be used for the protection of electric Ventilating and exhaust fan units equipped with the said type of motor.

When used in connection with the said type of motor as part of the equipmentof a household washing machine or similar de- A vice, this invention may be so constructed as to combine the functions of certain devicesl as follows, namely: automatic maximum load protective device, automatic noivoltage protective device, manually operated istarting switch, and manually operated stopin switch.-

Te articular'merit of this invention lies in the act that it will permit Vthemotor to develop and deliver its maximum tor ue but will immediately operate to protect t e motor by disconnecting it from the "source of current if the maximum torque is exceeded. Furthermore, no adjustment is necessary in case the operating voltage varies from the 40 normal. This device, when employed, does not lace' any limitations onthe normal operation of the motor as com ared with the operation without the device, ut at the same time provides thorough protection under excessive overloads and upon failure of the current supply.

The advantage of this invention when,

used in connection with household washingy machines and similar devices is due to the A following facts, namely; (1st) the washing machine, which is a typical application for 1 the purpose of this case, represents an electrically operated, motor driven device which is manually controlled and is used in many cases on circuits where the supply voltage varies considerably-'from the normal value. (2ii d) Such washing machines areusually equipied with a powervdriven wringer opi erate by the electricl motor and at times, depending upon vthe operator, requiring vthe full power o the motor. It is a commonly .known fact that,` at timessatisfactory operation of the machine requires that the motor shall be capable of delivering its full or maximum power for the wringer. (8rd) It' 1s also well known that an electric motor, when operated from a current supply whose voltage is lbelow normal, will require a greater current to develop a given tor ue than` when the normal voltage is availab e.

Consequently the use of a protective device or circuit breaker of the usualtype, actuated bythe load current ofthe motor, gives unsatisfactory results. Under low voltage conditions the excessive load currentv tends tooperate the protective device when' the motor is not fully loaded. A means of. adjustment becomes necessary, and this is far from satisfactory owing to the lack of skill on the part of theuser, and also due to the fact that fluctuations in voltage will necessitate time-to-time changes in adjustment in order to obtain the proper results.

The hereinafter described no-voltage-release feature of this invention is also of value as applied to washing machines' or similar` apparatus. Serious accidents tocthe operators of suchv machines have occurred through entaglement'infthe wringer or other parts of the mechanism.- In case of a failure of the current supply at any point, the use of this device will prevent the restarting of the motor when the current supply is again restored, and the motor can only be started by the voluntary operation of the starting switch by the operator of the machine.

A clear understanding'of this invention may vbe obtained by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4 are circuit diagrams showing several different lembodiments. of the invention.

Figures la and 2 are simplified 'diagrams of the Figure-l and Figure 2 embodiments, 106

respectively. l,

In each drawing the motor isfof the usual single phase, split phase induction type. Thefollowing symbols are common to all of the views. W1 is the main running wind- 110 tacts attached to conductors forming a part of the startin winding circuit.A -E isa stopping button or manually interrupting t e current supply. H is a starting button .for closing contacts L1 and L and establishing current supply to the motor. A is a switch blade arranged to connect the contacts L1 and L2 for running.

In each instance the automaticv switch B may to advantage be mounted directly upon the motor, as will be understood, andthe rest of the apparatus is preferably housed in `a conveniently located control box.

These devices, as will be more fully explained, are all characterized b the followmanual inward t rust of member H, closes the circuits for both win l' and W2 of the motor, (2nd) stppmg by manual inward thrust of rod thereby either directly or indirectly releasing the self opening linel switch device A, (3rd) the operation of the blade C of a' gravity switch to open thestarting circuit as soon as the attendant releases the rod H, as upon attainment by the motor of substantially full s eed. 4As here shown, the switch A is urge to open by gravity and rod H operates either against a spring Ior against ravity. but either a spring or gravity ma be used in each case, as will be unders Referring now to further details, and first' considering Figure 1, this form of the invention combines the functions of interruption of the current su ply whenever the motor slows down, as w en the maximum running torque of the motor is exceeded, and also in -case of failure of the current in features of o eration (1st starti b g tigri 1 supply. It is moreover a manually oper.

ated starting and stopping device.

An upward movement of the lunger rod H will close switch A and estab ish connection between contacts L1 and L1, and also close switch bar `C across contacts C1 and C2. This serves to start the motor, but member H has to be held up for a short time. At first the magnet S remains neutral, as current flows in opposition in the two coils S1 and S2. ,When the motor has attained suiiicient speed to open the contacts of the centrifugal s witch B, the coil S is deenergized. Then a current flows through the magnet` coil S1 onl and this will maintain the bar A in a c osed rposition against the contacts L1 and L.

Should thespeed of the motor fall to such apoint as to permit the centrifugal switch-B to close, a current will then flow through the #magnet coil S also. As this coil is of equal strength but connected to oppose coil S1, the neutralize each other t us permitting armature A1, constitutin 'the switch arm, to drop and so cause t e current to be interruptedA at L1 and L', thus stopping the motor. Pressure on the button E will interru t the flow of current through coils S1 and 1, or either of them, and cause a similar openin of the motor circuit. e purpose of the contacts C1 and C1 is to relieve the contacts L1 and L of the necessity of interrupting the heavy starting current of the motor. These contacts C1 and C are normally o n and are only closed durinc the time t at handle H is held u (ontacts C1 and C are not essenti but are desirable under certain conditions.

In case'of failure of the current supply, as by line trouble, fuse failure or the like,

., themagnet S1 will be deenergized and cause the circuit to be opened,-preventing restarting of the motor upon restoration of the current su plyyuntil the device is normally opera t rough handle H. This revents danger of the user becoming in- Jured, as by getting caught in a machine driven by the motor, in case the power should be restored tothe line while a starting switch is closed, as may occur in many cases. The switch C is adjusted so as to close before switch A, and the spring C* permits the necessary subsequent play of the starter H as it moves'on up to close switch A. c

Referring now to Figure 2, this embodi- `ment includes a part which resembles the construction of an ordinary circuit breaker, ha a tri ping coil S which actuates a latch an causesdthe miinbswiitch contacts to open on un erspee y ropping of bar A. The tripping coil S is connected in such a manner .as to o erate only when a current flow is establis ed through the contrifugal switch B, which opens upon will consequently attainment ofnormal speed. In this form,

the contacts C1 and Cz perform the same function as described 4in connection with Figure 1. They are not essential, but are desirable under certain conditions. This form of the device does not have the novoltage release feature. However, should the current supply be restored following an interruption, while the switch A is closed, current will flow through coil S and cause an immediate opening of the contacts L1 and L. If the contacts C1 and C1 are incorporated no rotationor starting of the motor is possible following merely the restoration of current supply after an interruption,l while in case these contacts are not used, only ac slight degree of rotation can occur in theibrief interval-before the current is interrupted.

In the case of both Figure 1 and Figure 2, the design of the magnet coils S, S1 and S2 is determined by the operating voltage, and is not dependent on the characteristics of the motor itself. Here the switch arm A2 need not be magnetic, and it is pivoted at one end, instead of being loosely mounted to fit a magnet core.

Referring to Figure 3, the construction and operation are the same as for Figure l, excepting that the magnet coil S4 is connected to carry the current which flows through the starting winding W2. This form requires a specific character of coil S4 so designed as to neutralize coil S1 when the starting current iows through it,`and coil S4 will therefore have to be made to suit the -particular motor with which itis to be used.

switch B is closed and the handle H is re? leased.

Referring to Figure 4, in this form the construction land operation are the same as for Figure 2, excepting that magnet coil S5 is connected to carry the current which'fiows through the starting winding W2.. The remarks regarding contacts C1 and C2 as made in connection with Figure 3, will apply also in this case. This form does not have the no-.voltage-release feature, but will operate in the same manner as described in connec# tion with Figure 3, upon restoration of current. The coil S5 must be designed with reference to the particular motor with which it is to be used. Y

I have Shown and described several specific embodiments of apparatus and connections thereof for carrying out my invention herein set forth, but it is to be understood that numerous details of the constructions and connections shown may be altered or omitted without departing from the spirit of this invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim z- 1. A split phase motor, a source of current, motor control means, and connections therefor, said motor having a centrifugal switch adapted to open as the motor comes up to speed, and said control means includingT a main line switch, a starting coil switch, self restoring manual means operative by one movement to close said line and starting coil switches, releasable means to retain said line switch closed during o eration of the motor, and amanually opera le member therefor, said motor having a centrifugal switch adapted to open as the motor comes up to speed, and said control means including a main line switch, a starting coil switch, self restoring manual means operative by one movement to close said line and starting coil switches, electromagnetic means to re` tain said line switch closed during operation of thel motor, and a manual switch in series with the energizing circuit of said retaining means whereby the main switch may be opened at will, said energizing circuit being divided and including two coils connected in opposition, one direct to the line and the other in series with said centrifugal switch.

3. A split phase electric motor having a main coil and a starting coil, a source of cur-` rent therefor, and control means connected to said motor and to said source, said control means including a centrifugal switch mechanically connected to and responsive to the speed of said motor, a line switch having electrically controlled automatic means operatively dependent upon said centrifugal switch whereby the condition as to closure of said line switch is determined, a supplemental switch in series with the starting coil, and manual means to close and open said line switch, respectively, said centrifugal switch being in the starting coil circuit.

4. A split phase motor, a source of current, motor control means and connections therefor, said motor having a centrifugal switch adapted to open as the motor comes up to speed and said control means including a main line switch (L.1-L2), self-restoring manual means (H) operative by one movement to close said line switch, releasable means (SV-S3) to retain said 4line switch closed during operation of the motor, anda manually operable member to release said releasable means for stopping the motor, said centrifugal switch being in series with the starting winding.

5. A split phase motor, a source of current, motor control means and connections therefor, saidmotor having a centrifugalr 6. A split phase electric motoi` having a main coil and a starting coil, a sourceof current therefor, and control means connected to said motor and to said source, saicl control means including a Centrifugal switch mechanically connected to and responsive to the speed of said motor, a line switch having electrically controlled automatic means operatively dependent upon tion as to closure of said' line switch is determined, and manual means to close and open said line switch, respectively, said centrifugal switch being in the starting coil circuit.

Signed at Chicago this 20th day of November 1922.

ALEXANDER s. L. PEASLEE. 

